Reggie Miller lauds Curry after three-point feat
The Golden State Warriors were defeated by the Utah Jazz on Saturday but Stephen Curry claimed a piece of NBA history.
Reggie Miller hailed Stephen Curry as an inspiration after the Golden State Warriors guard went past him on the NBA's all-time three-pointers list.
The Warriors lost 127-108 to the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Sunday but Curry had a moment to savour when he sunk his 2,561st effort from deep.
It leaves only Ray Allen ahead of Curry on 2,973 and Miller joined the Warriors' postgame media call via Zoom to pass on some warm words.
An inspiration to so many
"Congratulations, this is an unbelievable achievement," he said, accompanied on the call by his son - a self-confessed huge fan of Curry.
"I know the work is not done, I know you're chasing Ray, but you are an inspiration to so many little ones, like mine.
"I'm so proud of all the work because I know what goes into that.
"I know the countless hours, when it's easy to go hang with your boys, hit the clubs, sleep, do other things. But you're in the lab getting your work done."
Curry said going past Miller was "pretty special" and "something I've been looking forward to for a very long time".
"That means a lot, Reg. I appreciate it," he replied.
"Like you said, I know I have a lot more to take.
Following footsteps
"That competitive juice, the work that goes in, the appreciation of every game I get to play - to shoot the ball at this level and follow your footsteps in that regard means a lot.
"You and Ray, to have two guys to have reached back and encouraged me the way you have means a lot. I appreciate you, man."
Curry heading for the top
Even though he still needs more than 400 three-pointers to make up the ground on Allen, Curry's rate of scoring means his move to the top of the pile should only be a matter of time.
Over the course of a 715-game NBA career, he averages 3.6 per game and boasts a 43.3 per cent success rate from beyond the arc.